PREMIERS IN TOP F ORM
DEFENDING AFL Townsville premiers Hermit Park have sent a warning they won’t give up the trophy without a fight after outlasting a wasteful Thuringowa in Saturday’s top- of- the- table clash at Neil French Oval.
Leading by seven points at three- quarter time, the Tigers ended the Bulldogs’ unbeaten start to the year with a 13.6 ( 84) to 8.16 ( 64) victory.
Thuringowa squandered a heap of chances in the final term, booting 0.8 for the quarter to relinquish any hope of winning.
New Hermit Park recruit Damien Pywell was dangerous in the midfield and slotted four goals when moved forward, while Cameron Webster finished with three majors.
Tigers coach Jamie Fogg was rapt with the pressure his team applied throughout the match.
“It ( Thuringowa’s poor conversion) was a combination of some inaccuracy from them, but most of the shots they got at the end were under good pressure,” he said.
“They got no easy shots and our day was built around pressure and intensity at the football.
“We learned some lessons from the last time we played them ( an eight- point loss) and we prepared ourselves to get our structures right.”
Thuringowa coach Chris Butcher said they only had themselves to blame for their inaccuracy.
“We definitely had our opportunities and more scoring shots than them, we just couldn’t capitalise on our opportunities,” Butcher said.
Butcher rated Charlton Offermans as his team’s best in his senior debut, which was highlighted by three goals.
In the other match, Northern Beaches beat Curra Swans 17.14 ( 116) to 9.9 ( 63).